Braves vs Pirates Prediction - MLB Picks 8/8/23

Pittsburgh Pirates (50-61) vs Atlanta Braves (70-39)

Game Info: Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 7:05 pm (PNC Park)

Mitch Keller (9-8) (4.35) vs Yonny Chirinos (5-4) (4.42)

Betting Odds: Pittsburgh Pirates +105 / Atlanta Braves -135 --- Over/Under: 9.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds

The Pittsburgh Pirates will host the Atlanta Braves for game two of their four-game set this Tuesday from PNC Park. Pittsburgh jumped out to a big lead and held on to win by one, 7-6.

Braves Preview & Projected Starter

Atlanta moved to 70-40 after falling to Pittsburgh. The Braves had their rally cut short last night, and they’ll look to avoid a fourth straight loss here in game two. The Atlanta offense is scoring 3.83 runs per game, while batting .270, with a .339 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 3.67 ERA, with a 1.26 WHIP.

Yonny Chirinos (5-4, 4.42 ERA, 31 Ks) will get the start for Atlanta. The fifth-year pitcher will make his third appearance for ATL here, and he avenged his debut last time out against the Angels, striking out five in five innings to earn his fifth win of the season. Chirinos has been blessed with run support this season, but he’s allowed three runs or more in four of his last five appearances, and he’ll need to be sharp to avoid another Braves loss.

Braves Player Trends & Props

• Ronald Acuna Jr. has plated a run in four of the last five games, and he’s leading Atlanta in batting (.339) and hits (149), with 25 HR and 67 RBI.

• Matt Olson has been on a tear, and after producing a run in eleven straight games, he leads the NL in home runs (39) and RBI (99).

• Ozzie Albies homered in the game one loss, and he’s posting splits of .266/22/66.

• Austin Riley has recorded a hit in eleven of the previous twelve games, and he’s posting an identical line of .272/26/68.

Pirates Preview & Projected Starter

Pittsburgh comes in at 51-61 after defeating Atlanta. The Pirates protected home field in game one with the one-run victory, and they’ll look to double here in Tuesday’s contest. The Pittsburgh offense is scoring 4.11 runs per game, while batting .235, with a .320 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 4.50 ERA, with a 1.38 WHIP.

Mitch Keller (9-8, 4.35 ERA, 150 Ks) will pitch for Pittsburgh. The fifth-year pitcher continues to trend in the wrong direction after his performance in Milwaukee, allowing a massive eight runs in five innings pitched. Keller has now returned from his first All Star appearance to drop four straight starts, and he will certainly face an uphill battle here with an Atlanta team that’s itching for a win. Keller has given up six runs or more in three of his last four outings, and he’ll look to stop the bleeding on Tuesday.

Pirates Player Trends & Props

• Bryan Reynolds has recorded a hit in eight of the last ten games, and he’s first on the team in hits (100), with splits of .265/14/53.

• Andrew McCutchen doubled in a run during last night’s win, and he’s batting .260, with ten homers and 29 RBI.

• Jack Suwinski leads the club in home runs (21) and RBI (53).

Corey’s Pick

Atlanta finds themselves in the midst of an uncharacteristic skid, and they enter a manageable spot to turn things around. The Braves will face a vulnerable Mitch Keller, who’s in need of a turnaround himself, and I feel like they get the upper hand Tuesday. Keller has been terrible since returning from the break, and after dropping three straight games, ATL should come out with some urgency here. Let’s avoid the stress of the run line here, and back the Over for game two.